East West Rail (EWR) is helping shape the future of ground engineering after offering Early Career Professionals (ECPs) a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience at a live infrastructure site.
Seventeen ECPs recently joined the EWR Ground Investigation (GI) team at Chapel Hill in Cambridgeshire, part of some wider survey work, for a full day of immersive learning and practical engagement.
Organised by EWR Investigation Supervisors Josh Dunlop and Sophie Stone-Wigg, and hosted collaboratively by Client, Contractor and Technical Partner teams, the visit was designed to provide insight into the complexities of ground investigations and inspire the next generation of engineers.
Participants rotated through interactive stations led by industry experts, including:
· A geology overview and core sampling demonstration
· A piezometer* installation walkthrough
· A client Q&A session with EWR Engineering Specialist Neil Esslemont
· Safety briefings and inductions led by Concept Engineering Solutions
Attendees also engaged with drillers, engineers, unexploded ordnance** (UXO) specialists, and ecological clerks of works, gaining a holistic view of the roles and responsibilities involved in GI operations.
The visit was tailored for those with limited site experience, with preparatory work including health and safety risk assessments, technical research, and online training. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with all 17 attendees recommending the experience to their peers.
Hannah Fitzgibbon, Graduate Engineering Geologist, said: “The breadth of topics and discussions we had throughout the day was extensive, and the opportunity to speak directly to the experts was invaluable. I came away feeling extremely positive—it was a great learning opportunity.”
James Goodrich, Summer Placement Student, said: “I found it a great way to experience site environment and gain a better understanding about the way contractors, clients and consultants communicate and coordinate with one another. It was explained very well why GI is so important to project planning.”
Adam Castles, Civil Engineer, said: “It was great to see how desk studies and consultancy work influence the ‘real life’ operations on site, which will help me produce better plans and proposals in the future.”
Neil Esslemont, Geotechnical Engineering Specialist, EWR Co, said: “The ground investigation for EWR is one of the largest GI projects in the UK at the moment, so we have an obligation to take any opportunities to use the project to help to drive the industry forward. Ground investigations are a critical part of delivering safe and sustainable infrastructure, and it’s vital that early career professionals understand the real-world challenges and opportunities they may face. This visit to Chapel Hill gave participants a unique chance to engage directly with the processes and people behind the work, and I was impressed by their enthusiasm and curiosity. It’s encouraging to see such talent emerging in the industry.”
Given the success of the Chapel Hill visit, East West Railway Company now plans to expand the programme across future phases, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing emerging talent across its Technical Partner and UK office network.
Image credit: East West Rail